Uganda and the African Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional peace and security, with particular attention to the financing of African-led peace support operations in Somalia and elsewhere on the continent.
The issue featured prominently when African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Ayebare conveyed a message of goodwill from President Yoweri Museveni and commended Youssouf for his leadership of the AU Commission. Youssouf, in turn, congratulated Ayebare on his appointment as Uganda’s foreign affairs minister, highlighting his previous diplomatic experience, including his service as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and engagement with the African Union.
The meeting also covered the regional peace and security situation, with Youssouf recognising Uganda’s longstanding contribution to peacekeeping, particularly in Somalia.
Uganda has been a major troop-contributing country to African peace operations in Somalia, where the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is supporting Somali authorities in efforts to strengthen security and counter militant threats.
The financing of AUSSOM remains a significant concern for the African Union. The AU has repeatedly called for funding that is predictable, sustainable, flexible and available over multiple years, warning that financing gaps can undermine security gains and place additional pressure on troop-contributing countries.
The funding question has also gained urgency at the United Nations. UN Security Council Resolution 2719 established a framework for using UN-assessed contributions to support AU-led peace operations authorised by the Council, although implementation of the financing arrangements has faced delays.
In July, Youssouf similarly called for stronger support for AUSSOM and accelerated implementation of the AU Peace Fund, alongside increased contributions from member states.
Uganda’s role in Somalia has been longstanding. President Museveni has recently reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to Somalia’s stabilisation efforts, while regional leaders have acknowledged the country’s contribution to the mission.
Against that backdrop, the New York meeting placed Uganda’s diplomatic engagement within a broader AU effort to secure stronger and more reliable international support for African-led responses to conflicts.
Youssouf also expressed appreciation to Museveni for what he described as Uganda’s continued contribution to regional integration, peace and security.
Ayebare reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to advancing the AU’s mandate and strengthening Africa’s role in regional and global affairs.
The discussions come as African governments seek greater ownership of the continent’s peace and security agenda while pressing international partners for financing arrangements that can sustain African-led operations.
The AU Peace Fund is intended to strengthen the continent’s capacity to finance mediation, preventive diplomacy and peace support operations, with the AU targeting financing for a share of its peace operations budget.
For Uganda, the engagement also underscores the importance of multilateral diplomacy as Kampala balances its role as a contributor to regional security with its broader push for stronger African representation and influence in global institutions.
